MR. McCLELLAN: Good afternoon, everyone. I want to begin with a statement
by the President:

On July 11th, we remember the tragic loss of lives in Srebrenica 10 years
ago. The mass murder of nearly 8,000 men and boys was Europe's worst
massacre of civilians since World War II, and a grim reminder that there
are evil people who will kill the innocent without conscience or mercy.
This horrific event remains a source of pain for people in the Balkan
region, and for all those who believe in freedom and the dignity of human
life. I join all Americans in sending the deepest condolences and
expressions of sympathy on this solemn occasion.

The United States supports the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the
families of those who suffered as they commemorate this terrible chapter in
history. We grieve for their loss and applaud the strength and courage of
those who have returned to Srebrenica to rebuild their lives. We also
remain committed to ensuring that those responsible for these crimes face
justice -- most notably, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic.

I appreciate all the individuals who are advancing reconciliation and a
strong European future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. A modern, democratic
Balkan region is an essential element in a Europe that is unified, free and
at peace. As we work to make the world more peaceful, we share a common
faith in the value of freedom, the sanctity of life, and the triumph of
good over evil.

May God bless the people of the Balkan region, and the souls of the
departed.

And with that, I will be glad to go to your questions. Terry.

Q Does the President stand by his pledge to fire anyone involved in the
leak of a name of a CIA operative?

MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, I appreciate your question. I think your question
is being asked relating to some reports that are in reference to an ongoing
criminal investigation. The criminal investigation that you reference is
something that continues at this point. And as I've previously stated,
while that investigation is ongoing, the White House is not going to
comment on it. The President directed the White House to cooperate fully
with the investigation, and as part of cooperating fully with the
investigation, we made a decision that we weren't going to comment on it
while it is ongoing.

Q Excuse me, but I wasn't actually talking about any investigation. But
in June of 2004, the President said that he would fire anybody who was
involved in this leak, to press of information. And I just want to know,
is that still his position?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, but this question is coming up in the context of this
ongoing investigation, and that's why I said that our policy continues to
be that we're not going to get into commenting on an ongoing criminal
investigation from this podium. The prosecutors overseeing the
investigation had expressed a preference to us that one way to help the
investigation is not to be commenting on it from this podium. And so
that's why we are not going to get into commenting on it while it is an
ongoing investigation, or questions related to it.

Q Scott, if I could -- if I could point out, contradictory to that
statement, on September 29th, 2003, while the investigation was ongoing,
you clearly commented on it. You were the first one who said, if anybody
from the White House was involved, they would be fired. And then on June
10th of 2004, at Sea Island Plantation, in the midst of this investigation
is when the President made his comment that, yes, he would fire anybody
from the White House who was involved. So why have you commented on this
during the process of the investigation in the past, but now you've
suddenly drawn a curtain around it under the statement of, "We're not going
to comment on an ongoing investigation"?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, John, I appreciate the question. I know you want to
get to the bottom of this. No one wants to get to the bottom of it more
than the President of the United States. And I think the way to be most
helpful is to not get into commenting on it while it is an ongoing
investigation. That's something that the people overseeing the
investigation have expressed a preference that we follow. And that's why
we're continuing to follow that approach and that policy.

Now, I remember very well what was previously said. And at some point, I
will be glad to talk about it, but not until after the investigation is
complete.

Q So could I just ask, when did you change your mind to say that it was
okay to comment during the course of an investigation before, but now it's
not?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think maybe you missed what I was saying in
reference to Terry's question at the beginning. There came a point when
the investigation got underway when those overseeing the investigation
asked that it would be their -- or said that it would be their preference
that we not get into discussing it while it is ongoing. I think that's the
way to be most helpful to help them advance the investigation and get to
the bottom of it.

Q Scott, can I ask you this; did Karl Rove commit a crime?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, David, this is a question relating to an ongoing
investigation, and you have my response related to the investigation. And
I don't think you should read anything into it other than we're going to
continue not to comment on it while it's ongoing.

Q Do you stand by your statement from the fall of 2003 when you were
asked specifically about Karl and Elliott Abrams and Scooter Libby, and you
said, "I've gone to each of those gentlemen, and they have told me they are
not involved in this" -- do you stand by that statement?

MR. McCLELLAN: And if you will recall, I said that as part of helping the
investigators move forward on the investigation we're not going to get into
commenting on it. That was something I stated back near that time, as
well.

Q Scott, I mean, just -- I mean, this is ridiculous. The notion that
you're going to stand before us after having commented with that level of
detail and tell people watching this that somehow you decided not to talk.
You've got a public record out there. Do you stand by your remarks from
that podium, or not?

MR. McCLELLAN: And again, David, I'm well aware, like you, of what was
previously said, and I will be glad to talk about it at the appropriate
time. The appropriate time is when the investigation --

Q Why are you choosing when it's appropriate and when it's
inappropriate?

MR. McCLELLAN: If you'll let me finish --

Q No, you're not finishing -- you're not saying anything. You stood at
that podium and said that Karl Rove was not involved. And now we find out
that he spoke out about Joseph Wilson's wife. So don't you owe the
American public a fuller explanation? Was he involved, or was he not?
Because, contrary to what you told the American people, he did, indeed,
talk about his wife, didn't he?

MR. McCLELLAN: David, there will be a time to talk about this, but now is
not the time to talk about it.

Q Do you think people will accept that, what you're saying today?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I've responded to the question.

Go ahead, Terry.

Q Well, you're in a bad spot here, Scott, because after the
investigation began, after the criminal investigation was underway, you
said -- October 10th, 2003, "I spoke with those individuals, Rove, Abrams
and Libby, as I pointed out, those individuals assured me they were not
involved in this." From that podium. That's after the criminal
investigation began. Now that Rove has essentially been caught red-handed
peddling this information, all of a sudden you have respect for the
sanctity of the criminal investigation?

MR. McCLELLAN: No, that's not a correct characterization Terry, and I
think you are well aware of that. We know each other very well, and it was
after that period that the investigators had requested that we not get into
commenting on an ongoing criminal investigation. And we want to be helpful
so that they can get to the bottom of this, because no one wants to get to
the bottom of it more than the President of the United States. I am well
aware of what was said previously. I remember well what was said
previously. And at some point, I look forward to talking about it. But
until the investigation is complete, I'm just not going to do that.

Q Do you recall when you were asked --

Q Wait, wait -- so you're now saying that after you cleared Rove and the
others from that podium, then the prosecutors asked you not to speak
anymore, and since then, you haven't?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, you're continuing to ask questions relating to an
ongoing criminal investigation, and I'm just not going to respond any
further.

Q When did they ask you to stop commenting on it, Scott? Can you peg
down a date?

MR. McCLELLAN: Back at that time period.

Q Well, then the President commented on it nine months later. So was he
not following the White House plan?

MR. McCLELLAN: John, I appreciate your questions. You can keep asking
them, but you have my response.

Go ahead, Dave.

Q We are going to keep asking them. When did the President learn that
Karl Rove had had a conversation with the President -- with a news reporter
about the involvement of Joseph Wilson's wife and the decision to send --

MR. McCLELLAN: I've responded to the questions.

Q When did the President learn that Karl Rove had --

MR. McCLELLAN: I've responded to the questions, Dick.

Go ahead.

Q After the investigation is completed, will you then be consistent with
your word and the President's word that anybody who was involved would be
let go?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, after the investigation is complete, I will be glad
to talk about it at that point.

Q And a follow-up. Can you walk us through why, given the fact that
Rove's lawyer has spoken publicly about this, it is inconsistent with the
investigation, that it compromises the investigation to talk about the
involvement of Karl Rove, the Deputy Chief of Staff?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, those overseeing the investigation expressed a
preference to us that we not get into commenting on the investigation while
it's ongoing. And that was what they requested of the White House. And so
I think in order to be helpful to that investigation, we are following
their direction.

Q Scott, there's a difference between commenting on an investigation and
taking an action --

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, Goyal.

Q Can I finish, please?

MR. McCLELLAN: You can come -- I'll come back to you in a minute. Go
ahead, Goyal.

Q Scott, today also the President spoke about the war on terrorism and
also, according to -- report, there was bombings in London and also
bombings in India, and at both places, al Qaeda was involved. According to
the India report and press reports, a Pakistani television said that Osama
bin Laden is there alive and they have spoken with him, and his group is
still -- as far as terrorism around the globe is concerned. So now the
major bombings after 9/11 took place in London, and more are about to come,
according to al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. They are still -- and again,
the President is doing a great job as far as fighting against terrorism is
concerned. But where do we stand now, really? Where do we go from
London, as far as terrorism is concerned? How far we can go after Osama
bin Laden now to catch him? Because he's still in Pakistan.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, what occurred in London is a grim reminder that we
are at war on terrorism. We are waging a comprehensive war on terrorism.
You heard the President talk earlier today to the FBI personnel and others
who are at Quantico, and the President talked about our global war on
terrorism. He talked about our strategy for taking the fight to the enemy,
staying on the offensive, and working to spread freedom and democracy to
defeat the ideology of hatred that terrorists espouse.

And the President pointed back to the 20th century. He pointed out that in
World War II, freedom prevailed over fascism and Nazism. And in the Cold
War, freedom prevailed over communism. Freedom is a powerful force for
defeating an ideology such as the one that the terrorists espouse. And
that's why it's so important to continue working to advance freedom and
democracy in the broader Middle East. And that's what we will continue to
do. And the President also talked about the great progress we've made at
home to protect the home front.

The families and friends of those who lost their lives in London are --
continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We know what it's like to be
attacked on our soil. And that's why the President made a decision that we
were going to take the fight to the enemy to try to disrupt plots and
prevent attacks from happening in the first place. And that's exactly what
we are doing. But we're also going to work with the free world to support
the advance of freedom and democracy in a dangerous region of the world.
For too long we ignored what was going on in the Middle East. We accepted
and tolerated dictatorships in exchange for peace and stability, and we got
neither. As the President said, free nations are peaceful societies. And
that's why it's so important that we continue to support the advance of
freedom, because that's how you ultimately defeat the ideology of hatred
and oppression that terrorists espouse.

Carl, go ahead. I'll come to you, David, in a second.

Q Does the President continue to have confidence in Mr. Rove?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, these are all questions coming up in the context of
an ongoing criminal investigation. And you've heard my response on this.

Q So you're not going to respond as to whether or not the President has
confidence in his Deputy Chief of Staff?

MR. McCLELLAN: Carl, you're asking this question in the context of an
ongoing investigation. And I would not read anything into it other than
I'm simply not going to comment on an ongoing --

Q Has there been -- has there been any change --

MR. McCLELLAN: -- investigation.

Q Has there been any change or is there a plan for Mr. Rove's portfolio
to be altered in any way?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, you have my response to these questions.

Go ahead. Sarah, go ahead.

Q A secret British memo says plans are underway for a significant troop
withdrawal from Iraq early next year. Does the President agree with those
plans? And even though he doesn't want to give an exact date --

MR. McCLELLAN: Who? Who has a plan? I'm sorry.

Q With the plans of the -- a secret British memo says plans are underway
for a significant troop withdrawal from Iraq early next year. Does the
President agree with those plans, even though he doesn't want to give an
exit date? Is there White House and Pentagon pressure to draw down U.S.
troop levels in Iraq as soon as possible?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think you're referring to reports of a British memo
talking about reduction in troop forces. First of all, the military always
plans for all contingencies. And that's something our military is always
looking at -- what are the various contingencies, and how do we meet our
commitments and complete the mission. The President has made it clear that
we are going to complete the mission, and then our troops will return home
with the honor that they deserve.

We always look to -- the President always looks to his commanders on the
ground to make assessments in terms of what troops levels are needed, and
the commanders on the ground will have the troops that they need to
complete the mission. But the commanders have said that that will be based
on the conditions on the ground, it will be based on circumstances on the
ground, so you're always looking at the circumstances on the ground.

Now, one part of our strategy for victory in Iraq is to train and equip the
Iraqi security forces. As we stand up the Iraqi forces, we will stand down
coalition and American forces. And the President talked about that again
today. That's part of our two-track strategy for succeeding in Iraq. And
what you're seeing now is that the number of Iraqi forces that are trained
and equipped continues to go up. They are the largest contingent providing
for security in Iraq. And we continue to expand those forces. But not
only are we expanding the numbers, we're strengthening their capability.
And the commanders have talked about that, as well. So there's good
progress being made there. The President referenced some of that in his
remarks today.

Now I'll go back to David. Go ahead.

Q There's a difference between commenting publicly on an action and
taking action in response to it. Newsweek put out a story, an email saying
that Karl Rove passed national security information on to a reporter that
outed a CIA officer. Now, are you saying that the President is not taking
any action in response to that? Because I presume that the prosecutor did
not ask you not to take action, and that if he did, you still would not
necessarily abide by that; that the President is free to respond to news
reports, regardless of whether there's an investigation or not. So are you
saying that he's not going to do anything about this until the
investigation is fully over and done with?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think the President has previously spoken to this.
This continues to be an ongoing criminal investigation. No one wants to
get to the bottom of it more than the President of the United States. And
we're just not going to have more to say on it until that investigation is
complete.

Q But you acknowledge that he is free, as President of the United
States, to take whatever action he wants to in response to a credible
report that a member of his staff leaked information. He is free to take
action if he wants to.

Q Scott, since President William Howard Taft became Chief Justice after
his presidency, you would not rule out the President nominating former law
school professor Bill Clinton to the Supreme Court, would you? And if you
wouldn't, we can report that President Clinton is under consideration,
can't we?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, that's the first time I've heard that name suggested.
I know there are a lot of names being suggested out there, and you know
that I'm not going to get into speculating about any particular names.

Q One follow-up. Considering the widespread interest and the absolutely
frantic Democrat reaction to Karl Rove's excellent speech to conservatives
last month, does the President hope that Karl will give a lot more
speeches?

MR. McCLELLAN: He continues to give speeches. He was traveling this
weekend talking about the importance of strengthening Social Security. And
he has continued to go out and give speeches.

Let me back up, though. You brought up the Supreme Court, and I would like
to update you, in terms of where we are in terms of consultations with the
Senate, because the White House consultations have been wide and deep with
the United States Senate. I think you heard Senator Hatch yesterday talk
about how, in his 29 years in the United States Senate, he has not seen
anything like this when it comes to the level of consultation that is going
on. It is unprecedented, in his words, and he's certainly been around the
Senate for a long time to see the type of consultations that go on.

But we have reached out to more than 60 senators now, and we have actually
consulted with most of those. We are continuing those outreach calls and
meetings to listen to what senators have to say and hear what their views
are. The President --

Q Did you try to reach all the senators?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President has reached out, himself. The President
looks forward to meeting tomorrow with four distinguished leaders in the
Senate. He will be listening to what their views are. The President is
not prejudging anything. He wants to hear what their views are and hear
what they have to say as we move forward on a Supreme Court nominee. The
President --

Q Does he want to hear names, Scott?

MR. McCLELLAN: The President welcomes people suggesting names. That's
part of the consultation process. But not only are we going to consult
before the nomination is made, but we'll continue to consult once the
nomination is made.

We've also consulted with more than half of the Democratic conference in
the United States Senate. We've spoken with every member of the Senate
Judiciary Committee. And we are continuing that outreach as we speak. A
number of White House staffers have been reaching out to individual
members, and the President is going to be sitting down and meeting with
those four leaders tomorrow.

Q What does he think of Specter -- what does he think of Specter
suggesting O'Connor as Chief?

MR. McCLELLAN: Look, Les, there are going to be a lot of suggestions made.
I'm just not going to get into speculating about potential nominees. The
President takes this responsibility very seriously. And that's why he is
going through a deliberate and thorough process. That's why he has
instructed us to reach out to senators and get their views and hear what
they have to say about a potential nominee.

The President hopes that we can move forward in a dignified and civilized
way. You heard him express that. It's important to elevate the discourse
as we move forward. The American people want this nomination process to be
something that we can all be proud of. And the President is going to
select the nominee who meets the criteria that he outlined -- that is
someone of high intellect, someone of integrity, someone who -- someone of
great legal ability and someone who will faithfully interpret our
Constitution and our laws and not try to make law from the bench.

Q Will the President discuss his names with Democrats, as well, and get
their thoughts on those names?

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, April. Go ahead.

Q Scott, what was the President's interaction today with Karl Rove? Did
they discuss this current situation? And understanding that Karl Rove was
the architect of the President's win for the second term in the Oval
Office, how important is Karl Rove to this administration currently?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, this is coming at it from --

Q It has nothing to do with what you just said.

MR. McCLELLAN: This is still coming at the same question relating to
reports about an ongoing investigation, and I think I've responded to it.

Q Who is Karl Rove as it relates to this administration?

MR. McCLELLAN: Do you have questions on another topic?

Q No, no, no, no. Who is Karl Rove as it relates to this current
administration?

Q Is the President going to make any outreach to conservative groups on
the Supreme Court nominee and listen to their point of view at all?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we are listening to what others have to say, not only
in the United States Senate, but outside, as well. And there are a lot of
people expressing their views right now.

Q -- seemed to get annoyed last week --

MR. McCLELLAN: I wouldn't try to label anything.

Go ahead.

Q Scott, I think you're barrage today in part because we -- it is now
clear that 21 months ago, you were up at this podium saying something that
we now know to be demonstratively false. Now, are you concerned that in
not setting the record straight today that this could undermine the
credibility of the other things you say from the podium?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm going to be happy to talk about this at the
appropriate time. Dana, you all -- you and everybody in this room, or most
people in this room, I should say, know me very well and they know the type
of person that I am. And I'm confident in our relationship that we have.
But I will be glad to talk about this at the appropriate time, and that's
once the investigation is complete. I'm not going to get into commenting
based on reports or anything of that nature.

Q Scott, at this point, are we to consider what you've said previously,
when you were talking about this, that you're still standing by that, or
are those all inoperative at this point?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, you're still trying to come at this from a different
angle, and I've responded to it.

Q Are you standing by what you said previously?

MR. McCLELLAN: You've heard my response.

Go ahead.

Q The six-party talks are finally to be resumed on July 27th. The
United States policy has been to demand complete, verifiable and
irreversible dismantlement of nuclear weapon by the North Korea to ensure
nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. If North Korea does not agree to that, what
would happen to the six-party talks?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, first of all, we are pleased that North Korea is
coming back to the talks. The five parties put a proposal on the table,
and we believe it's now time to make progress on what we outlined. It's
important for North Korea to return to the talks prepared to talk in a
serious way about how to move forward on that proposal. The goal is not
for North Korea to come back to the talks; the goal is a denuclearized
peninsula. That's a goal that we all share. And we need to make progress
toward that goal. That's why it's important that when North Korea comes
back, that they are prepared to respond to the proposal and move forward in
a serious way to make progress toward that goal.

In the discussions recently with North Korea, they have expressed a
commitment to a denuclearized peninsula and making progress toward that
goal. These meetings or this upcoming six-party talks is a way to move
forward toward that goal. And we want to move forward in a serious way.

Q It is reported the United States would offer some new incentives to
the North Korea. Would you tell us, what is the contents of new --

MR. McCLELLAN: I think any such impression is wrong. We have put a
proposal on the table along with the other four parties in the talks. That
is a proposal that was -- it's a serious proposal. It was put on the table
by the five parties for North Korea to consider and respond to. Now North
Korea is committed to coming back to the talks with a date certain. And
when they come back later this month, we want them to be prepared to talk
in a serious way about how to move forward on that proposal. That's the
proposal that is on the table. It was a proposal that was outlined to
North Korea in the last round of talks over a year ago by the other five
parties.

Go ahead, Alexis.

Q When the leak investigation is concluded, does the President believe
it might be important for his credibility, the credibility of the White
House, to release all the information voluntarily that was submitted as
part of the investigation, so the American public could see what the --
what transpired inside the White House at the time?

MR. McCLELLAN: This is an investigation being overseen by a special
prosecutor. And I think those are questions best directed to the special
prosecutor. Again, this is an ongoing matter; I'm just not going to get
into commenting on it further at this time. At the appropriate time, when
it's complete, then I'll be glad to talk about it at that point.

Q Have you in the White House considered whether that would be optimum
to release as much information and make it as open a process --

MR. McCLELLAN: It's the same type of question. You're asking me to
comment on an ongoing investigation, and I'm not going to do that.

Q I'm actually talking about the communication strategy, which is a
little different.

MR. McCLELLAN: Understood. The President directed the White House to
cooperate fully with the investigation. And that's what he expects people
in the White House to do.

Q And he would like to that when it is concluded, cooperate fully with
--

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I've already responded.

Go ahead.

Q Scott, was it -- who in the investigation made this request of the
White House not to comment further about the investigation? Was it Mr.
Fitzgerald? Did he make the request of you --

MR. McCLELLAN: I mean, you can ask -- you can direct those questions to
the special prosecutors. I think probably more than one individual who's
involved in overseeing the investigation had expressed a preference that we
not get into commenting on the investigation while it's ongoing. I think
we all want to see the prosecutors get to the bottom of this matter. The
President wants to see the prosecutors get to the bottom of this matter.
And the way to help them do that is to not get into commenting on it while
it is ongoing.

Q Was the request made of you, or of whom in the White House?

MR. McCLELLAN: I already responded to these questions.

Go ahead.

Q According to the Gallup Poll, 62 percent of the American people
believe that a terrorist attack like the one we saw in London could happen
here. In the President's speech today, we haven't heard anything new.
What his plan exactly to protect the American people?

MR. McCLELLAN: It's exactly what he outlined in his remarks earlier today.
It's a comprehensive strategy. We are working on multiple fronts to
protect the American people. As he said, the best way to defend the
American people is to stay on the offense and take the fight to the enemy.
That's exactly what we are doing.

You see, the terrorists have been carrying out attacks for years. They
felt that the civilized world would only respond in a very limited way. We
saw the attacks back in '83 on the Marine barracks in Lebanon. We saw the
attacks on -- or the attack on the World Trade Center back in 1993. We saw
the attacks on our embassies back in '98. They've certainly carried out
attacks in other parts of the civilized world, as well.

The President saw the attacks of September 11th and said we are going to
take the fight to the enemy. We are going to wage a comprehensive war, and
we are going to see it through. The enemy will be defeated. And the way
we will ultimately defeat the enemy is to defeat their hateful ideology.
And you do that by spreading freedom because free societies are peaceful
societies, as the President said.

Bob, go ahead.

Q Yes, in your dealings with the special counsel, have you consulted a
personal attorney?

MR. McCLELLAN: Again, I'm just not going to say anything further. I
expressed all I'm going to say on this matter from this podium.

Go ahead.

Q How does the uncertainty over Chief Justice Rehnquist affect the
President's selection of a replacement for Justice O'Connor?

MR. McCLELLAN: How does the speculation about another vacancy?

Q How does the uncertainty about Chief Justice Rehnquist affect the
process?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, the President is moving forward to fill the vacancy.
He spent time on his trip looking over the background materials of
potential nominees and some of their key rulings or decisions. The
President has been talking with senior staff -- I know he visited with Andy
Card about it on the trip, as well -- and talking to them about potential
nominees and the process for moving forward to name a nominee.

We are prepared for additional vacancies, if they should occur. This is
something that we have prepared for, for quite some time at the White
House. But I'm not aware of any announcement that's been made on an
additional vacancy at this point.

Q Scott, voting rights reauthorization. I understand the President is
for voting rights reauthorization, but he still wants to study portions of
it. It sounds kind of contradictory. Could you explain what that means,
as it's up for renewal?

MR. McCLELLAN: Sure. As you point out, it's up of reauthorization in
2006. The President does support reauthorization. That process is getting
underway in Congress. And as it works its way through Congress, the White
House will look at and consider any improvements to strengthen it. And
that's -- that's really where it stands at this point.

Q Well, what does he think could strengthen it? What tweaks is he
thinking of right now --

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I think that's something we'll look at. There are
suggestions that I'm sure people are going to make as we move forward, and
we'll look at and consider those suggestions. The President also met with
the Congressional Black Caucus and said he would take their views into
account as we move forward, as well.